Intimate Partner Sexual Victimization Research Articles

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: An Exploratory Study on Sexual Victimization Profiles Among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in France.

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a common form of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to (a) identify a typology of intimate partner sexual victimization among French women victims of IPV on the basis of the frequency of various forms of sexual violence and (b) evaluate whether these profiles differ in several clinical characteristics. A total of 93 women consulting a specialized hospital service were recruited. Cluster analyses suggested four profiles: highly frequent rapes (5.4%), predominant sexual coercion (20.4%), medium frequency of all forms (20.4%), and low frequency of all forms (19.4%). Further person-centered research focusing on IPSV is warranted.

The Impact of Threat Type and Prior Abuse History on Perceptions of Intimate Partner Sexual Coercion.

Intimate partner sexual victimization often involves perpetrators using threats to coerce victims into sexual activity. However, little research has investigated perceptions of this coercion. We presented 99 community members with intimate partner sexual coercion vignettes that varied abuse history (between-participants) and type of threat used to coerce the victim into sex (within-participants; that is, physical assault, financial, children taken). We found that physical assault threats led to higher pro-victim judgments than nonviolent threats. These findings provide insight into how sexual violence involving coercion is perceived in different contexts.

Analysis of a Modification to the Sexual Experiences Survey to Assess Intimate Partner Sexual Violence

ABSTRACT Greater accuracy is needed in the assessment of sexual victimization that occurs in intimate relationships. Existing assessment strategies in the literature often represent two distinct approaches – intimate partner violence specific strategies vs. sexual violence specific strategies. The current study compared multiple distinct strategies for assessing intimate partner sexual victimization (IPSV) and evaluated a modification that optimizes intimate partner and sexual violence specific strategies. Two samples of undergraduate women were recruited. Sample 1 (N = 236) completed the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales (SVAWS) and a modified version Sexual Experiences Survey–Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV) in which participants were cued to respond both for romantic partners and non-partners (referred to as the SES-RP/NP). Sample 2 (N = 206) completed the SVAWS and was randomized to either the traditional SES-SFV or the SES-RP/NP. Across samples, the prevalence of IPSV varied based on the measure used (SVAWS = 11.7%; SES-SFV = 17.0%; SES-RP/NP = 25.4%). The SES-RP/NP identified significantly more IPSV than the SES-SFV, SVAWS, and prior studies. Both the SES-SFV and the SES-RP/NP were positively and significantly associated with the SVAWS. The results suggested that optimal measurement of IPSV would consider both intimate partner and sexual violence strategies.

Comparing Prevalence and Correlates of Intimate Partner Sexual Victimization Relative to Other Victim-Offender Relationships in College Students.

Research on sexual victimization (SV) in college women often focuses on perpetration by nonpartners thus, little is known about SV by intimate partners on college campuses. To address this gap in the literature, the current study compared prevalence and revictimization rates and negative correlates of SV based on victim-offender relationship. Findings suggest higher prevalence rates of SV perpetrated by a nonpartner compared to an intimate partner although similar and alarming rates of revictimization. Regarding negative correlates of SV, no differences were identified based on victim-offender relationship; however, victims of SV by both an intimate partner and a nonpartner demonstrated the highest negative correlates. These findings demonstrate the importance of addressing SV by nonpartners and intimate partners and the necessity for tertiary prevention efforts to decrease revictimization.

Correlates of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Intimate Partner Sexual Victimization

Correlates of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Intimate Partner Sexual Victimization

Correlates of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Intimate Partner Sexual Victimization

This study investigated the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among Chinese university students in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. It used a cross-sectional design. To complete a self-report questionnaire, 3,388 university students from Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai were recruited through convenience sampling. The results showed that 28.6% of participants experienced some form of CSA, and no gender difference was found in the prevalence of CSA. Significantly, more female have been reported being victims of sexual IPV than male (24.2% vs. 18.2%); however, when considering severe sexual victimization only, females did not report higher prevalence than men did. Results of the multiphase logistic regression showed that CSA had an independent association with an increased risk of sexual IPV victimization during adulthood. In addition, gender, having had sex with the partner of the referred intimate relationship, and current posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with sexual IPV victimization when other factors were adjusted. Conclusion: Intervention with IPV should include an assessment of CSA history. Prevention of revictimization for IPV victims with CSA history was discussed.

Prospective prediction of women's sexual victimization by intimate and nonintimate male perpetrators.

Although behavioral risk factors such as substance use have been hypothesized to increase women's vulnerability to sexual victimization, prospective studies provide mixed empirical support. In the current prospective study, the authors considered substance use, sexual activity, and sexual assertiveness as predictors of sexual victimization from intimate partners and nonintimate perpetrators. Among a representative community sample of women ages 18-30 years (N = 927), 17.9% reported sexual victimization over 2 years, the majority by an intimate partner. Low sexual refusal assertiveness, drug use, and prior intimate partner victimization predicted intimate partner sexual victimization. Heavy episodic drinking and number of sexual partners predicted victimization from nonintimates. The finding that there are different risk factors for sexual victimization from intimates versus nonintimates suggests the need for tailored prevention strategies.